Biography (Current at time of Induction)

While in the Air Force, player/coach DeGroot won the U.S. Air Force Championship, European Theater in 1946, 1947 and 1948, as well as the Far Eastern Armed Forces Championship (1957, 1958, 1959), the U.S. Air Force Worldwide Championship (1953, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1960) and National Inter-service Championship (1954, 1958, 1959).

Collegiate success came in 1961 when he guided the University of California at Santa Monica to the first of four straight NCAA Championships. He returned to the finals again in 1974 as an advisory coach to his son's second-place team.

Other coaching successes include the National AAU Championship (second place in 1959), National Veterans YMCA Championship (second place in 1953), National Jewish Welfare Board Championship (1968), and USVBA Open National Championship (1974).

DeGroot's other honors include the Gold Medal of Honor for Physical Education and Sports (France, 1948), USVBA's "Leader in Volleyball" Award in 1950 and the U.S. Air Force Special Award for outstanding service to the Air Force in developing and promoting the sport of Volleyball (1953-1960).